Charlottesville is one of my favorite places in Virginia. It’s a beautiful college town, surrounded by rolling hills and plenty of wineries. Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, is nearby. So naturally, Charlottesville is a gorgeous location for a wedding.

Amber and Charlie chose Charlottesville for their wedding because they both went to the University of Virginia (I won’t hold it against them – even though my husband and I are William & Mary grads), and the bride’s family lived nearby. There are plenty of beautiful venues in the area, but they settled on the Clifton Inn, a historic mansion hotel whose property dates back to 1799. Amber and Charlie were married in November 2013, and their beautiful flowers were perfect for a fall wedding.

I’m excited to share this real wedding full of fun, quirky details that reflect the bride and groom’s personalities. Enjoy!

Unique Idea: The bride and groom designed a custom wedding program that reflected the couple’s sense of humor: “So You’re Going To Sit Through A Wedding…”

Steal This Idea: The couple incorporated keepsakes from family members into their special day. The Bible they used belonged to the bride’s grandmother. The bride’s bouquet was wrapped with a piece of the flag from her father’s funeral. What a touching tribute.

Bride’s Favorite Moment: Walking down the aisle with her mother and aunt

Groom’s Favorite Moment: When they read their vows (they had written their own so it was a surprise)